"He is a Templar," said De Bracy, "and cannot therefore rival me in

my plan of wedding this heiress;--and to attempt aught dishonourable

against the intended bride of De Bracy--By Heaven! were he a whole

Chapter of his Order in his single person, he dared not do me such an

injury!"

"Then since nought that I can say," said Fitzurse, "will put this

folly from thy imagination, (for well I know the obstinacy of thy

disposition,) at least waste as little time as possible--let not thy

folly be lasting as well as untimely."

"I tell thee," answered De Bracy, "that it will be the work of a few

hours, and I shall be at York--at the head of my daring and valorous

fellows, as ready to support any bold design as thy policy can be to

form one.--But I hear my comrades assembling, and the steeds stamping

and neighing in the outer court.--Farewell.--I go, like a true knight,

to win the smiles of beauty."

"Like a true knight?" repeated Fitzurse, looking after him; "like a

fool, I should say, or like a child, who will leave the most serious and

needful occupation, to chase the down of the thistle that drives

past him.--But it is with such tools that I must work;--and for whose

advantage?--For that of a Prince as unwise as he is profligate, and as

likely to be an ungrateful master as he has already proved a rebellious

son and an unnatural brother.--But he--he, too, is but one of the tools

with which I labour; and, proud as he is, should he presume to separate

his interest from mine, this is a secret which he shall soon learn."

The meditations of the statesman were here interrupted by the voice

of the Prince from an interior apartment, calling out, "Noble Waldemar

Fitzurse!" and, with bonnet doffed, the future Chancellor (for to such

high preferment did the wily Norman aspire) hastened to receive the

orders of the future sovereign.




readonlinefreebook.com Copyright 2016 - 2024